Emma, loose stools . . . in the BATHTUB! UGH!

Emma is age 13, spayed, front declawed, came to me that way.   She has been with me 18 months.  I took her in when my aunt died; my cousin as going to have her put down.  I have 7 cats, and 9 litter boxes - 5 in one room, 4 in another room. I scoop once a day at night before going to bed.   All the cats are indoor only.

I was using Tidy Cats litter.  About 2 months back, I switched over to sWheat scoop.  I did 2 boxes at a time, over a 2 week period.  Next thing I know, Emma is using the bathtub.  I did some online reading, it seems a front declawed cat prefers a sandy litter; the hard ones may hurt their paws.  So I switched all the boxes back to Tidy Cats, all at once.

And Emma returned to using the boxes.    That lasted for 6 days.  As of yesterday morning she is using the bathtub again.  And her stools are loose, runny.  I have an appt for her with the vet this Friday.

Food has not changed.  Routine has not changed.  I think she is also peeing in the tub, but that just runs down the drain, so I can't really tell, and I can't get a sample (they asked when I made the vet appointment).

I've no idea what this could be, in terms of behavior, or stress, I am just not seeing anything.  The vet tech who made the appointment said Emma may have an intestinal bug.  OK but with all the cats indoor only, how the heck would she pick up something?

If anyone has ideas, I will try it between now and the vet visit

.

I can guess that Emma has gone back to using the tub because she's not feeling well, as the loose stools indicate.  Hopefully once that's cleared up, she'll return to her box. As for the loose stools themselves, it's really hard to know.  She might have gotten into something she shouldn't have or be developing a food sensitivity.  As for the vet tech's suggestion that it might be a kitty flu, have you come into contact with any cats outside of the home?  I agree that since Emma and her buddies are all indoors, and since only she's showing symptoms, a kitty flu seems unlikely.   Fingers crossed    that whatever is responsible, Emma's system returns back to normal soon. 

You might get on the Cat Health forum and look at the older threads on loose stools, I know canned pumpkin helps, and you might get some digestive enzymes with probiotics to help her. I think she's using the bathtub because it looks like a giant litter box, and is more private for her as she is not feeling well. I have a cat that does the same thing. Has she had access to milk products, that really does a number on some cats digestive systems as most are lactose intolerant when they are older. Bless you for taking her in, she is a cutie and I'm sure is so very grateful for you giving her a home. For now I would be thankful it is in the bathtub and can have bleach poured on it than on a bedspread or carpet! As long as you can bleach it, you'll be fine, it is just a yucky thought that you bathe there too. Like my cat, I think she'll go back to her box once she is feeling better, if not you can close the door for a while. All the luck!

My cat Milkshake started using the bathtub when she had a bladder infection, blood tinged pee. Had her treated and she went back to the litter box. Then, a couple weeks later, using the bathtub again. Bloody pee again. It turned out she had a small bladder stone. After surgery, back to the litter box.

It was almost as if she was using the bathtub so I could see something was wrong!

I hope the vet treatment works and she gets to feeling all better!

I figured out the problem; none of the above.  And the loose stools appear to be because she was holding it in.

Tommy is a big 11 pound boy, long, lanky and muscular.  He routinely beats up on the other cats, just because.  I guess Emma had enough.  I moved a litter box in to the bathroom, and she is happy.  She is using it, and she doesn't have the loose stools. 

She was in to the vet today, time for the 3 year rabies vaccine, that went fine.  She didn't even flinch.  I get the Purevax, so glad it now comes in a 3 year version.

Thanks for all the postings, I do appreciate the help!

Freedom said:

 
I figured out the problem; none of the above.  And the loose stools appear to be because she was holding it in.

Tommy is a big 11 pound boy, long, lanky and muscular.  He routinely beats up on the other cats, just because.  I guess Emma had enough.  I moved a litter box in to the bathroom, and she is happy.  She is using it, and she doesn't have the loose stools. 

She was in to the vet today, time for the 3 year rabies vaccine, that went fine.  She didn't even flinch.  I get the Purevax, so glad it now comes in a 3 year version.

Thanks for all the postings, I do appreciate the help!

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What wonderful news!  I'm so glad it was something so simple.  Good for you figuring out the problem.     

Cool! Glad things are good now.